Take short showers and turn the water off while washing. Photo-4360863.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Take a shower versus a bath. Showers with high-efficiency shower heads often use less water than taking a bath.

Take a shower versus a bath. Showers with high-efficiency shower heads often use less water than taking a bath.

Photo: MORRY GASH, Express-News/File

Take a shower versus a bath. Showers with high-efficiency shower... Photo-4360867.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Reduce the level of the water being used in a bathtub by one or two inches if a shower is not available.

Reduce the level of the water being used in a bathtub by one or two inches if a shower is not available.

Photo: Tarasov_vl - Fotolia

Reduce the level of the water being used in a bathtub by one or two... Photo-3726549.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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When building a new home or remodeling a bathroom, install a new, dual-flush toilet that uses only 0.8 or 1.6 gallons per flush.

When building a new home or remodeling a bathroom, install a new, dual-flush toilet that uses only 0.8 or 1.6 gallons per flush.

Photo: ROBERT MCLEROY, Express-News/File

When building a new home or remodeling a bathroom, install a new,... Photo-4360869.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Test toilets for leaks. Add a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet to the water in the tank, but do not flush the toilet. Watch to see if the coloring appears in the bowl with a few minutes. If it does, the toilet has a silent leak that needs to be repaired. less

Test toilets for leaks. Add a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet to the water in the tank, but do not flush the toilet. Watch to see if the coloring appears in the bowl with a few minutes. If it does, ... more

Photo: Express-News/File

T est toilets for leaks. Add a few drops of food coloring or a dye... Photo-4360911.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Never use the toilet to dispose of cleansing tissues, cigarette butts or other trash. This wastes a great deal of water and also places an unnecessary load on the sewage treatment plant or septic tank.

Never use the toilet to dispose of cleansing tissues, cigarette butts or other trash. This wastes a great deal of water and also places an unnecessary load on the sewage treatment plant or septic tank.

Photo: Express-News/File

Never use the toilet to dispose of cleansing tissues, cigarette... Photo-4360912.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Do not use hot water when cold will do. Water and energy can be saved by washing hands with soap and cold water. Hot water should be added only when hands are especially dirty.

Do not use hot water when cold will do. Water and energy can be saved by washing hands with soap and cold water. Hot water should be added only when hands are especially dirty.

Photo: Express-News/File

Do not use hot water when cold will do. Water and energy can be... Photo-4360866.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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When brushing teeth, turn the water off until it is time to rinse.

When brushing teeth, turn the water off until it is time to rinse.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, Express-News/File

When brushing teeth, turn the water off until it is time to rinse. Photo-4360884.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Do not let the water run when washing hands. Water should be turned off while washing and scrubbing and be turned on again to rinse.

Do not let the water run when washing hands. Water should be turned off while washing and scrubbing and be turned on again to rinse.

Photo: NICOLE FRUGE, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Do not let the water run when washing hands. Water should be turned... Photo-3682744.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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When shaving, fill the lavatory basin with hot water instead of letting the water run continuously.

When shaving, fill the lavatory basin with hot water instead of letting the water run continuously.

Photo: Handout, Express-News/File

When shaving, fill the lavatory basin with hot water instead of... Photo-4360878.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Install a low-flow shower head that limits the flow from the shower to less than 3 gallons per minute.

Install a low-flow shower head that limits the flow from the shower to less than 3 gallons per minute.

Photo: Bill Hogan, Express-News/File

Install a low-flow shower head that limits the flow from the shower... Photo-4360865.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Scrape the dishes clean instead of rinsing them before washing. There is no need to rinse unless they are heavily soiled.

Scrape the dishes clean instead of rinsing them before washing. There is no need to rinse unless they are heavily soiled.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, Express-News/File

Scrape the dishes clean instead of rinsing them before washing.... Photo-4360885.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Use a pan of water (or place a stopper in the sink) for washing and rinsing pots, pans, dishes and cooking implements rather than turning on the water faucet each time a rinse is needed.

Use a pan of water (or place a stopper in the sink) for washing and rinsing pots, pans, dishes and cooking implements rather than turning on the water faucet each time a rinse is needed.

Photo: Express-News/File

Use a pan of water (or place a stopper in the sink) for washing and... Photo-4360887.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Never run the dishwasher without a full load. This practice will save water, energy, detergent and money.

Never run the dishwasher without a full load. This practice will save water, energy, detergent and money.

Photo: handout / SAEN files

Never run the dishwasher without a full load. This practice will... Photo-541482.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Use the garbage disposal sparingly or start a compost pile.

Use the garbage disposal sparingly or start a compost pile.

Photo: Courtesy Photo

Use the garbage disposal sparingly or start a compost pile. Photo-3644740.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator. Running water from the tap until it is cool is wasteful.

Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator. Running water from the tap until it is cool is wasteful.

Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator. Running... Photo-3281492.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Whenever possible, use the lowest water-level setting on the washing machine for light or partial loads or laundry.

Whenever possible, use the lowest water-level setting on the washing machine for light or partial loads or laundry.

Learn to repair faucets so that drips can be corrected promptly. It is easy to do, costs very little and can mean a substantial savings in plumbing and water bills.

Learn to repair faucets so that drips can be corrected promptly. It is easy to do, costs very little and can mean a substantial savings in plumbing and water bills.

Photo: SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Learn to repair faucets so that drips can be corrected promptly. It... Photo-1998974.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Check for hidden water leakage such as a leak between the water meter and the house. To check, turn off all indoor and outdoor faucets and water-using appliances. The water meter should be read at 10- to 20-minute intervals. If it continues to run or turn, a leak probably exists and needs to be located and repaired. less

Check for hidden water leakage such as a leak between the water meter and the house. To check, turn off all indoor and outdoor faucets and water-using appliances. The water meter should be read at 10- to ... more

Photo: Express-News/File

Check for hidden water leakage such as a leak between the water... Photo-4360906.58872 - San Antonio Express-News

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Use a moisture meter to determine when house plants need water. More plants die from over-watering than from being dry.

Use a moisture meter to determine when house plants need water. More plants die from over-watering than from being dry.

Photo: Russell Yip, The Chronicle

Use a moisture meter to determine when house plants need water.... Photo-2347839.58872 - San Antonio Express-News